Contract 10-0K4804

The responses to bidder's inquiries, unless incorporated into a formal addendem to the contract, are not a part of the contract and are provided for the bidder's convenience only. In some instances, the question and answer may represent a summary of the matters discussed rather than a word-for-word recitation. The availability or use of information provided in the responses to bidder's inquiries is not to be construed in any way as a waiver of the provisions of Section 2-1.03 of the Standard Specifications or any other provision of the contract, the plans, Standard Specifications or Special Provisions, nor to excuse the contractor from full compliance with those contract requirements. Bidders are cautioned that subsequent responses or contract addenda may affect or vary a response previously given.

Q) The job calls for a 10mm recess which is nearly 1/2" deep. Inside that recess is going to be a stripe that is 1.5mm (.060 inch thick), per section 84-2.04 of the Standard Specifications unless otherwise specified (which it is not). 10 mm thermoplastic would be highly unusual and unnecessarily expensive and the recess becomes a hazard for motorcycles if it is too deep. Why cut the recess so deep? Should it not be just slightly deeper than standard material application? This is a major cost issue.

A) The reason for the depth and specification for recessed thermoplastic traffic stripe is to prevent stripe removal by the use of snow plows in the winter. The deep recess has been used in other snow plow areas in District 10 and has been effective.

Refer to Section 10-1.14, "Thermoplastic Traffic Stripe (Recessed)," of the Special Provisions, last paragraph:

"The contract price paid per meter for thermoplastic traffic stripe (recessed) of the widths and patterns designated in the Engineer's Estimate shall include full compensation for furnishing all labor, materials, tools, equipment and incidentals, and for doing all the work involved in applying thermoplastic traffic stripes (recessed), complete in place, including establishing alignment for stripes and layout work, construction of the recesses, removing and disposing the residue from recess construction, as shown on the plans, as specified in the Standard Specifications and these special provisions, and as directed by the Engineer."

The thickness required for the recessed thermoplastic traffic stripe is 10 mm, as shown in the "Thermoplastic Traffic Stripe (Recessed) Detail" on Sheet 2 of the Project Plans.